TRADITIONS OF MEN

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The word "tradition" comes from two Latin words: "trans,"       
      (over), and "dare," (to give) and means a giving over, a       
      delivery; thus, "instruction by word of mouth; an oral         
      transmission of information, beliefs, or customs from ancestors
      to posterity without written records." (Webster)
   B. When great reformers like Martin Luther began to challenge the  
      Catholic Church for Scriptural authority on many of its        
      practices, a council was convened in 1546, in which was        
      declared that Tradition should be regarded as divine authority 
      on equal basis with the Scripture.
      1. The Catholic Dictionary on pages 41-42 says, "It is an
         article of faith from a decree of the Vatican Council that
         Tradition is a source of theological teaching distinct from
         Scripture, and that it is infallible. It is therefore to be
         received with the same internal assent of Scripture, for it 
         is the word of God."
      2. The Catholic Catechism for Adults on page 11 says, "Do
         you have to believe in Tradition? Yes, because it is the    
         Word of God and has equal authority with the Bible."
         a. Thus, every Catholic today is duty-bound to accept
            tradition as equal authority with the Bible. 
   C. What is truly sad is that many of the "Traditions" which were
      introduced by the Catholic Church are still believed and       
      practiced by Protestantism today.

I. THE SCRIPTURES VERSUS HUMAN TRADITIONS.
   A. The word "tradition" (Gr. paradosis) is found thirteen times in
      the Greek New Testament, but only three times does it carry a
      favorable connotation. In all of the other passages it incurs  
      the disfavor of Christ and the apostles.
      1. In the three passages where the term is used favorably it is
         plainly evident that the writer was talking about something
         which he and other inspired individuals had taught. 1 Cor.
         11:2; 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6
         a. It is evident that Paul is not talking about human
            traditions which have been handed down by word of
            mouth.
      2. There was a time when Paul was very strict in following the
         traditions of the fathers. Gal. 1:13-14
         a. If he had not been so strict in following these          
            traditions, he, like others, would have accepted Jesus as
            the Christ.
         b. When he learned the truth, he denounced these
            traditions and turned to the Lord.
         c. Paul stressed his own authority. Gal. 1:15-17, 11-12
         d. He warned in the strongest possible language against
            any traditions that men might add. Gal. 1:8-9; Col. 2:8

II. JESUS VERSUS HUMAN TRADITIONS. We can learn much from the life   
   and teaching of our Lord about how we should view human           
   traditions.
   A. JESUS DISREGARDED THE HUMAN TRADITIONS OF HIS DAY.
      1. Plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath. Matt. 12:1-8
         a. According to human tradition this was a kind of reaping,
            or work, and thus was a violation of the law.
         b. Jesus answered their objection by calling their attention
            to four principles:
            (1) By what David did. Vs. 3-4 The Sabbath law did
                not keep one from satisfying his hunger, especially
                in an emergency.
            (2) By what the priest did. Vs. 5 The Sabbath was the
                busiest day of the week for the priest. The apostles
                were preforming a greater service than the priests.
            (3) By His own Lordship. Vs. 6,8 Since He was God,
                he had a right to do anything He wanted on the
                Sabbath.
            (4) By what Hosea said. Vs. 7 God's law of mercy to
                those in service to Him would allow them to so act
                on the Sabbath.
         c. Notice that Jesus totally disregarded the traditions
            which had grown up about the law of God.
            (1) Thus, if Jesus were here on earth today, He would
                keep the written law but would totally disregard the
                traditions which have been handed down from one
                generation to another.
      2. Healing on the Sabbath. Mark 3:1-5; Luke 13:10-17
         a. Again, according to their traditions healing was a type
            of work and was therefore wrong to do on the Sabbath.
            (1) It seems strange that they never stopped to think
                that miraculous healing was of such unusual nature
                that anyone who had that power could use it
                anytime he wanted.
         b. Jesus showed that the Sabbath was not violated when
            one pulled a sheep out of a pit, or lead an ox or donkey
            to the watering.
            (1) Since man was of much more value than animals,
                He could do this work for them on the Sabbath.
         c. Notice, again, that Jesus totally disregarded the
            traditions which the Jews had added to the law.
      3. Eating with unwashed hands. Mark 7:1-5
         a. The tradition of the elders said that a person must wash
            his hands before he eats or he would become defiled.
            They meant in a spiritual sense; thus, it was sinful     
            before God.
         b. Jesus showed that their tradition was false. Mark 7:14-23
   B. CONSIDER THE MANNER IN WHICH JESUS EXPOSED HUMAN TRADITIONS.
      1. "God said...but you say..." Matt. 15:4-5; Mark 7:10-11
         a. In this way Jesus drew a clear, sharp contrast between
            the teaching of God with the teaching of man.
         b. In this case the human tradition was not merely an
            addition to the written word, but was a substitution for
            what was written.
      2. Sometimes people today become offended when a gospel
         preacher contrasts their doctrines and practices with the
         Bible. 
         a. The same result occurred back then. Matt. 15:12-14
      3. Let's follow the steps of Jesus in exposing certain         
         traditions of men today.
         a. God - Gal. 5:6; Acts 10:35; James 2:24. Man - "One is
            saved by faith only."
         b. God - Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21. Man - "One is saved and
            then he needs to be baptized."
         c. God - 1 John 3:4; James 1:13-15; Ezek. 18:20. Man -
            "Babies need to be baptized because they are born in
            sin." Since babies do not inherit sin from their parents,
            and since they cannot commit sin, it follows that babies
            are not sinners.
      4. Are we not Christ-like when we point out these
         contradictions between God and man? Eph. 5:13; Jude 3
   C. JESUS STRONGLY CONDEMNED HUMAN TRADITIONS.
      1. Makes void the Word of God. Matt. 15:6; Mark 7:13
         a. Their human traditions furnished a way for the child to
            avoid the responsibility of honoring his parents. Mark
            7:10-13
         b. In this way the human tradition makes void or useless
            the word of God. It keeps the word of God from
            accomplishing its purpose in the life of the individual.
         c. One can illustrate in many ways how human traditions
            do this to the Word of God today.
            (1) For example, the Word of God describes baptism as
                a burial and resurrection from water. Rom. 6:4
            (2) However, human tradition says that sprinkling or
                pouring of water will do just as good, thus making
                void or useless the Word of God.
      2. Rejects the commandments of God. Mark 7:9
         a. This is a stronger term than the phrase, "to make void."
            (1) This pictures one flatly rejecting the commandment
                of God in order to keep his tradition.
            (2) The Word of God teaches one to be buried and
                raised in baptism, but human tradition teaches him
                to be pleased with sprinkling.
            (3) The one who is sprinkled rejects that which God
                demands.
      3. Makes our worship vain. Matt. 15:9; Mark 7:7
         a. Thus, Jesus taught that one renders a vain (empty,
            worthless) worship when he follows the traditions of
            men.
            (1) God will not allow His law to be mixed and
                contaminated with human traditions.
            (2) Following the traditions and doctrines of men will
                condemn us. There are many warnings against them
                in the N.T. Col. 2:18-22
      4. Makes us hypocrites before God. Matt. 15:7-9; Mark 7:6-7
         a. It is a hypocritical service because if we truly wanted  
            to honor God, we would do exactly as He commanded, not
            as man taught.

Concl.
   A. There are many traditions found in Christianity today that are 
      not in harmony with the Word of God.
   B. Here is a quote from the brotherhood paper, Gospel Minutes,
      Vol. 45, No. 13, June 7, 1996)
      1. "Dear brother Clem: So many in the church are wanting
         change these days that some don't know what to believe.
         What do you see in the Bible about lighting candles during
         the Lord's Supper to 'get us in the mood'? Or clapping while
         we sing...?"
      2. Haven't these people learned anything from the Lord? Any
         disciple of Jesus would have no problem dealing with such.
   C. Let us hold to the written Word of God and reject all the
      traditions and doctrines of men.

Chart #1
JESUS DISREGARDED HUMAN TRADITIONS
   Plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath. Matt. 12:1-8
   Healing on the Sabbath. Mark 3:1-5; Luke 13:10-17
   Eating with unwashed hands. Mark 7:1-5

Chart #2
THE MANNER IN WHICH JESUS EXPOSED HUMAN TRADITIONS
   "God says...but you say..." Matt. 15:4-5; Mark 5:10-11
   People become offended. Matt. 15:12-14

Chart #3
GOD SAYS
   Gal. 5:6; Acts 10:35; James 2:24
MAN SAYS
   "One is saved by faith only."

GOD SAYS
   Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21
MAN SAYS
   "One is saved and then he needs to be baptized."

GOD SAYS
   1 John 3:4; James 1:13-15; Ezek. 18:20
MAN SAYS
   "Babies need to be baptized because they are born in sin."  

Chart #4
JESUS STRONGLY CONDEMNED HUMAN TRADITIONS
   Makes void the Word of God. Matt. 15:6; Mark 7:13
   Rejects the command of God. Mark 7:9
   Makes our worship vain. Matt. 15:9
   Makes us hypocrites before God. Matt. 15:7-9